DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Biopsy-proven Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) HIV infection (measured by ELISA and Western blot) allowed NCI pathology review required At least 5 measurable lesions required No prior local therapy to indicator lesions Lesions evaluable by noninvasive methods No actively bleeding or critically located KS of immediate risk to patient or at the discretion of the Principal Investigator and/or Study Chairperson No pulmonary or other potentially acutely life-threatening KS lesions